Course Description

The "Road to Selective College Admissions" course provided by St. Margaret’s Episcopal School is tailored specifically for students in 10th and 11th grades. This course equips students with comprehensive insights and tools necessary for navigating the intricacies of the college admissions process. By engaging in various exercises, students will enhance their understanding of college admissions verbiage, augment their access to critical resources, draft a potential college list, plan high school summers effectively, consider financial aspects of higher education, and build a personal support network. The end goal is to prepare students thoroughly for submission of their college applications, focusing on essays, standardized testing, and detailing extracurricular involvements.

What Students Will Learn

• The terminologies used in college admissions and how to improve access to necessary resources.
• Effective methods to research and curate a list of prospective colleges.
• Strategies to utilize high school summers effectively towards college prep.
• Introductory knowledge on financing college education and financial planning.
• The importance of and strategies to build a strong support network.
• Insights into what it takes to succeed in college post-admission.
• Detailed guidance on the college application process, including essays, standardized tests, and extracurricular activities management.

Course Prerequisites

This course primarily targets secondary school students currently in the 10th and 11th grades, aiming to prepare them for the upcoming college admissions phases.

Course Coverage

• Introduction to the language of college admissions.
• Research techniques for crafting an optimal college list.
• Planning and utilizing summers for college preparation.
• Basics of financing a college education.
• Building and leveraging a support network.
>li>Success strategies for college.
• Completing the college application with a focus on essential components.

Who This Course is For

This program is ideally suited for high school students, particularly those in their sophomore and junior years, who are beginning to navigate the complex process of college applications, aiming for admission to selective colleges and universities.

Real-World Application

Skills taught in this course can be applied in real-world settings by equipping students not only to improve their chances of entering a good college but also to succeed there and beyond. Effective planning, research skills, critical thinking, and networking are universal skills that benefit students in all walks of life.

Course Syllabus

• Module 1: Getting on the Road to Selective College Admissions
• Module 2: Researching and Building your College List
• Module 3: The Application Process
• Modules 4 and 5: Financial Aid and Scholarships
• Module 6: Making the Most of High School
• Module 7: Building a Support Team
• Module 8: I’m In, Now What?